To get myself back on topic:
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Originally Posted by Analog
The human species is naturally supposed to grow (mentally) and learn more and more. As generations pass, each new generation is naturally inclined to pass on their knowledge, so that the next generation can take that knowledge and expand on it, creating greater understandings of the world around them and to ensure the survival of the species.
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The human species is naturally supposed to grow mentally and learn more and more? I disagree. Nearly all evolutionary biologists would disagree as well. The human species isn’t supposed to do anything. We do appear to be designed by natural selection to survive and reproduce, however. Whether or not humans have evolved cognitive mechanisms that allow them to pass on cultural knowledge to the next generation, it’s HIGHLY unlikely that they are designed to ensure the survival of the species. Most group selectionists (biologists who argue for mechanisms designed to preserve the species) have gone the way of the dodo.
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Originally Posted by ratbastid
I have a lot of respect for a community that can stay so true to its principles in the face of the onslaught of modern culture.
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Why? Specific examples of sticking to specific principles, I might be able to agree with. (The house building in Shakran’s post above, for example). But as a general phenomenon, I don’t have respect or disrespect for a community that can stay so true to its principles. I can think of too many examples of communities sticking to principles I disagree with.
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Originally Posted by fitherton
As far as i can tell, the amish live a compeletely sustainable lifestyle and that's pretty respectable.
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I do think that being able to take care of oneself is admirable. I don’t think that the Amish lifestyle is sustainable. I think that their inbreeding with will lead to the demise of their culture.
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Originally Posted by Ustwo
There is nothing special about the modern age in terms of people, nothing special about change for change sake…
The Amish lifestyle does not appeal to me, but I can see the appeal.
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I feel the same way.